SOUTHEND based shot-putter Robin Womack hopes to pull off a minor miracle by making the Great Britain squad for the IPC World Championships in October.

The 44-year-old is fighting back after missing seven months of training through illness.

And the London 2012 Paralympic bronze medallist hopes to rediscover his best form in time to make the trip to Doha.

“I started winter training in May and it will be a minor miracle if I can get to Doha but I’m doing all I can to make it happen,” said Womack.

“I’ve gone over the qualifying mark seven times now but I need to throw further and get my world ranking up from eighth.

“My best distance is 10.01metres so far this season but I’m improving that all the time and if I can get up to around 10.70m then I think that could be enough to get picked.

“I’m just glad the World Championships are later in the season this year or I would have had to just write it off.”

Womack has until Monday September 14 to push his claims to be selected and has just three more competitions to impress before then.

The first of those comes at Loughborough University today and Womack is confident of showing signs of improvement.

“When I started the season by throwing 8.50m I have to admit I was panicking but I’m getting better all the time now and want to show that again at Loughborough,” said the wheelchair bound Womack.

“I want to keep that going especially as I’m now competing in a single class which certainly helps my cause.

“I’m still also the number one in Great Britain and I’ve also made the final of the last three World Championships I’ve been to so hopefully I’ll get another chance.”

But, even if the keen Southend United supporter does not get selected, he will continue until next year’s Rio Paralympics before retiring.

“I’ve spoken it all through with my family and that’s what we’ve decided is best,” said Womack.

“I want to enjoy other aspects of my life and I’m getting on a bit now too.

“There would also be no better way to go out that at a Paralympics, hopefully with another medal too.”